Moving costs
This guide breaks down movers charges in Nairobi line by line: the truck, the crew, the materials, the distance and the extras. It explains why two quotes for the same house can differ so much, why a fair price can only be set after an assessment, and how to spot a price that will grow on moving day.
Quick answer
Movers in Nairobi charge for the truck, the crew, the time or route, packing materials and any special handling. Because every move is different, a fair price is agreed after the mover has assessed your items and access. Stairs, packing, distance and month-end dates all affect the final figure.
Ask three movers for a price and you may get three very different numbers. That is confusing, especially when each one says the price is fair. The difference usually comes from what each quote includes. Some include packing, blankets and reassembly; others include only a truck and two loaders. Once you understand the parts of a moving quote, comparing prices becomes simple.
This is also why we do not publish fixed prices. Instead, we assess each move, send a written quote and agree the final price with you. Our moving cost guide for Kenya explains that process.
Why choose us
A price list cannot see your stairs, your piano or the narrow gate at your new home. As a result, a figure quoted before anyone has looked at the job is only a guess, and guesses tend to grow on the day. In contrast, a price agreed after a short survey reflects your real move. Moreover, it gives you a chance to discuss options, such as packing some boxes yourself, before you commit.
Common problems
Almost every moving quote in Nairobi is built from the same five parts. The size of each part depends on your home and your move.
The truck is usually the largest single part of the price. A bigger truck costs more per trip, but it may save a second trip. In Nairobi, a 3-tonne canter suits most one and two-bedroom homes, while a 7-tonne truck suits three to four bedrooms. Our lorry hire page lists each size.
Movers charges in Nairobi rise with crew size, but a bigger crew finishes faster. For example, two movers may take eight hours on a two-bedroom home, while four movers take four hours. Therefore the total labour cost can be similar, yet the bigger crew frees your day and reduces waiting fees. Skilled packers and fitters cost a little more, because their work prevents damage.
Packing
Materials are often left out of cheap quotes and added on the day. A two-bedroom home needs roughly 25 to 40 boxes, several rolls of tape, packing paper and some bubble wrap. See our moving boxes page for what each box size suits.
Within Nairobi, distance matters less than time. A 10-kilometre move across the city at 5pm can take longer than a 25-kilometre move at 7am. As a result, most movers charge by job or by half-day blocks rather than by kilometre. Moves to nearby towns such as Thika, Kitengela or Machakos cost a little more because of the extra fuel and travel time. Long-distance routes are priced per trip, which our long-distance movers page explains.
Access changes movers charges in Nairobi more than most people expect. A fourth-floor flat with no lift takes far longer than a ground-floor house. Likewise, a long walk from the parking to the door adds time. Narrow gates may force the crew to use a smaller truck and make two trips. So tell your movers about stairs, lifts and parking when you ask for a quote. Otherwise, the price may rise on the day.
Some items need extra crew, tools or vehicles. Pianos, safes, large aquariums, gym equipment, big glass tables and cars all fall into this group. Our piano movers and safe movers pages explain why.
Month-end weekends are the busiest days for movers in Nairobi, because most leases end then. As demand rises, trucks and crews become scarce. In contrast, mid-month weekdays are quieter. If your dates are flexible, moving in the middle of the month can lower movers charges in Nairobi and make booking easier.
Costs and pricing
Some movers quote an hourly rate. That can look cheap, but the final bill depends on how fast the crew works and on delays you cannot control. A fixed price, by contrast, is agreed before the day and stays the same unless you change the job. For most people, a fixed price is safer. At KejaPal, every quote is a fixed price in writing.
Movers charges in Nairobi
Costs and pricing
A very low price often means fewer movers, no blankets, an open truck or casual loaders with no training. On the day, the move takes longer, items get scratched or broken, and extra charges appear. One damaged TV can wipe out the saving. So compare quotes on what they include, not just the total. A fair quote lists the crew, truck, materials and extras clearly.
Movers charges in Nairobi
Our affordable movers page has more ideas.
Offices are priced differently from homes. Instead of rooms, movers count workstations, filing cabinets, IT equipment and meeting rooms. In addition, office buildings often require moves after hours, with loading bay bookings and security clearance. Weekend work adds a little, but it saves lost working days. Our office movers page explains the full process.
Consider a couple moving a two-bedroom apartment from Kilimani to South C. The flat is on the third floor with a lift, and the new home is a ground-floor house. They pack clothes and books themselves but want the kitchen packed. In this case, the quote would include a 3 to 5-tonne truck, four movers for about half a day, kitchen packing with materials, and bed and wardrobe reassembly. After a short video survey, the couple would receive a written quote listing each of these, and they could discuss it before agreeing. Because the couple shared the lift booking and parking details early, no extra charges appeared on the day.
Pay a deposit only to an official company till or account, and get a receipt for every payment. Avoid paying the full amount upfront. Most reputable movers ask for a small deposit and the balance on completion. For tips on safe mobile money use, see Safaricom. Also keep the written quote, so you can check the final bill against it.
The fastest way to get your price is a short video call. We look at your rooms, ask about access and send a written quote, then agree the final price with you. Request your moving quote to get started.
Costs and pricing
We do not publish fixed prices, because every move is different. Instead, we assess each move, send a written quote and agree the final price with you, so the figure you agree reflects your real move. If you are working to a budget, tell us early. Then we can suggest options, such as packing some boxes yourself, moving mid-month or sharing a truck on long routes.
Get started
Tell us what you are moving and where, and our move coordinator will call you back within one working day to plan it with you.
Prefer to talk? Call +254 184 379 590
It depends on the size of the move, the distance, access such as stairs and lifts, and any packing or special items. We assess the job by survey or video call, then agree the final price with you in a written quote.
Some do, but many give a fixed price per job. A fixed written price protects you from delays and surprise charges.
Not always. Ask whether boxes, paper and tape are included, because some movers add them on the day.
Most leases end at month-end, so demand for trucks and crews peaks then. Mid-month dates are usually easier and cheaper.
Keep reading
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